419 scam: MRS.MARIAM ZOUK <ryr243@bitk737.onmicrosoft.com> LETTER OF HELP

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "any lucrative business in your country" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united state dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- ",500,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +27839998333 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- zoukmariam@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: MRS.MARIAM ZOUK <ryr243@bitk737.onmicrosoft.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2014 11:16:26 +0000
Subject: LETTER OF HELP

FROM: MRS.MARIAM ZOUK
PRETORIA SOUTH AFRICA.
Email: zoukmariam@gmail.com
direct number +27 839998333

LETTER OF HELP

Dear Good Friend

Please pardon me for whatever embarrassment this message may cause you as we never relate before. I am MRS. MARIAM ZOUK,a financial consultant based in Libya, I am right now in Pretoria South Africa due to the present situation in my country Libya. I have (US$12,500,000) Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars with a private equity investment trust company here for safe keeping only.

I am probably of the view that you are aware of the present situation in my country Libya. In view of this development, I wish to invest in a stable economy outside Africa, as my situation in South Africa
do not permit me to normalize this fund .And the financial policy of this country {South Africa} do not permit me to operate freely.

I am soliciting for your help to stand as my partner and receive this fund into your bank account so that it will be invested in any lucrative business in your country for the benefit of both our families.

If you are not willing to enter into partnership with me then I suggest you name your percentage of the fund so that we can discuss it. Please you can contact me directly for more through my telephone number: +27 839998333 and email me with your reference.

NB: The fund is drug free and has no money laundering related matter.

I await your kind response.

Yours Sincerely,
Mrs. Mariam Zouk?

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam